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you don't need software for this
By:Paul G. Jacobson
Date: 11/17/2000, 12:00 am
In Response To: Yet Another Walrus Question (Kelly Trehearne)

You dont need any software for this.

Just write to Mike and ask him to measure the panels on his plywood Walrus. He'll need a tape measure to get the overall length of the panels, and then at 1 or 2 foot intervals he can just measure the width, or better, the distances (up and down) from a straight line running the length of each panel.

With all skin on frame kayaks that have the fabric stretched over chines that are supported by frames -- unlike canvas covered canoes or kayaks which have rounded hulls and get their shape from rounded ribs -- you can look at each space between two adjacent chines as a flat panel (in most cases filled with taut fabric) that can be measured and reproduced.

The beauty of making a Walrus, or other frame and chine boat in plywood is that the chines serve as perfect patterns for cutting the plywood panels. they also serve as screwing or nailing posts for holding the panels together, and if you fit them well, then will seal the seams between the panels, eliminating (or at least reducing) the need for fiberglass tape and resin.

Since the frame and chine arrangement is strong enough to work with a fabric skin, adding the plywood only serves to add reinforcement. Those chines add to the strength and rigidity.

Look at a stitch and glue design from the other side. In constructing the stitch and glue boat you start with accurately cut panels that are temporarily joined (with the wires) while a continuous fillet of glass filled resin is applied to the inside corners of the joints between panels. This continuous fillet is in effect a cast-in-place plastic and glass replacement for the wood chine.

PGJ

Messages In This Thread

Yet Another Walrus Question
Kelly Trehearne -- 11/16/2000, 10:08 am
you don't need software for this
Paul G. Jacobson -- 11/17/2000, 12:00 am
Re: and Another Walrus Question
Erez -- 11/16/2000, 3:59 pm
Re: Crosswalk coating
Chris Casazza -- 11/16/2000, 10:42 am